Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
General and Operations Managers
SOC: 11-1021 O*NET: 11-1021.00
Median Salary
$102,950
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
308.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
What does a General and Operations Managers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$47,420
10th percentile
Early Career
$67,160
25th percentile
Median
$102,950
50th percentile
Experienced
$164,130
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$47,420
25th
$67,160
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$102,950
Mean: $133,120
75th
$164,130
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans -$47,420 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $67,160 and $164,130
- •Salary spread is 94.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 3,584,420 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:3,712,900
Top Industries
Retail Trade12.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services12.2%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services12.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.4%
Annual Openings:308,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)3,712,900
Current
2034 (Projected)3,876,800
+4.4%
+164,000
Employment Change
+4.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where General and Operations Managers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
454,720 jobs$100,2901.41x
California
292,300 jobs$125,2400.70x
Florida
249,620 jobs$100,7501.09x
New York
210,890 jobs$129,9900.95x
Illinois
170,790 jobs$101,4301.21x
Pennsylvania
168,110 jobs$100,4001.20x
Ohio
146,860 jobs$94,9901.14x
Georgia
111,240 jobs$99,8000.99x
Massachusetts
105,350 jobs$123,8501.24x
Missouri
105,210 jobs$77,4101.55x
Arizona
100,340 jobs$90,0001.35x
Virginia
99,710 jobs$121,5301.06x
Maryland
91,810 jobs$105,3201.44x
Michigan
86,000 jobs$99,6600.84x
Minnesota
73,900 jobs$96,1301.09x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Management of Personnel Resources
54%
#9
Persuasion
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Management of Personnel Resources
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Management of Personnel Resources
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Persuasion
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Wind Energy Operations Managers82%
5 shared skills
Correctional Officers and Jailers82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives82%
5 shared skills
Musicians and Singers70%
5 shared skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors67%
5 shared skills
Bartenders67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Management of Personnel Resources
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for General and Operations Managers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechIBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechSlack
🔥 Hot TechSplunk Enterprise
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechPuppet
🔥 Hot TechAtlassian JIRA
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechApache Hadoop
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Tableau
Slack
Splunk Enterprise
Autodesk AutoCAD
Puppet
Atlassian JIRA
Salesforce software
Apache Hadoop
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Communication & Coordination (2)Operations & Execution (2)Planning & Development (3)Management & Supervision (4)General Responsibilities (4)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination100% perform100%
2
Perform sales floor work, such as greeting or assisting customers, stocking shelves, or taking inventory.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Develop or implement product-marketing strategies, including advertising campaigns or sales promotions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Direct non-merchandising departments of businesses, such as advertising or purchasing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Recommend locations for new facilities, or oversee the remodeling or renovating of current facilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Plan store layouts or design displays.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Implement or oversee environmental management or sustainability programs addressing issues such as recycling, conservation, or waste management.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on communication & coordination activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from General and Operations Managers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
General and Operations Managers professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value relationships
EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a General and Operations Managers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.84
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.83
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.74
Leadership
CriticalLeadership
Importance Level4.60
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.47
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.44
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.7
Leadership
4.6
Initiative
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a General and Operations Managers.
Browse Training Programs →